Jim%252520Pete Archive

The Indians may be running into a buzz saw in the form of the Kansas City Royals, who has a nice mix of solid starting pitching, a trending offense and a tough-as-nails bullpen. While many Tribe fans point to the Indians potentially catching playoff lightning in a bottle, it's the Royals who seem to be coming together at the right time. All is not lost though, as the eternal optimist, Jim Pete, takes a look through Royal blue sunglasses from his perch at the Corner of Carnegie and Ontario.

It's been a very "developmental" year in Carolina, and while the Mudcats weren't a winning ballclub with regards to wins and losses, they sure did have a boatload of offensive talent come through Five County Stadium. Was the season a successful one? It depends on what your definition is for success? If you're an Indians fan looking for a bank of players, Carolina was the place to be. Join Jim Pete for one last fishing expedition for the 2013 season.

The Cleveland Browns are facing off against the Miami Dolphins today, but that will take a backseat to the Cleveland Indians quest to swallow up the Tampa Bay Rays in the wildcard hunt. The Indians have 22 games to go to prove themselves worthy of a playoff spot, and that starts today with Messing with Salazar, episode 7. We'll jump into the Indians quest, and talk Browns football. Call in and talk to the IBI staple, Cleveland Sports Insiders at 1-347-202-0338!

Ubaldo Jimenez. Just saying the name for me brings up a small dose of bile in my throat. You know the guy I'm talking about. He's the former Rockies' ace that threw a no-hitter, and hit 96 at will with his 12 different pitches. He's just not that guy anymore, and perhaps that's not a bad thing at all. Join Jim Pete at the Corner of Carnegie and Ontario as he tries to rationalize Ubaldo Jimenez for the pitcher he is, and not the pitcher he was.

The Indians' minor league season is rolling to a close, but ATF is still going strong during the last minor league weekend of the season. Saturday's edition is loaded with some familiar names like LaPorta, Packer, Naquin and Moncrief. Who were the breakout stars on Saturday night? Join IBI's Jim Pete, as he takes his familiar stroll down ATF avenue.

The Cleveland Indians have weaved their way through the 2013 season with a MacGyver-like precision. Terry Francona has used duck-tape, chewing guy, a paperclip and a toothbrush to carry the Indians into late August with a real chance at a playoff run. With the next eight games against teams in or fighting for the playoffs, Tribe Time really is now.

Clint Frazier continued his run through the overmatched Arizona League, and even though it's an offensive league, you have to be impressed with the numbers he's been producing. Jose Ramirez, Jesus Aguilar and Dorssys Paulino also all had big nights, showcasing some of the most promising prospects in the entire system. Join Jim Pete with another edition of Around the Farm.

The Cleveland Indians have entered another August, and have found themselves struggling to win baseball games. No, it's not another 5-24 month like last August, but the Tribe has lost seven of nine, and are 5-8 overall this month. It couldn't have come at a worst time, as the Indians are falling further away from the Tigers and the wildcard. Join Jim Pete at the Corner of Carnegie and Ontario, as he ponders what's wrong with the August Tribe this year...if anything...

The Cleveland Indians system didn't have a lot of showcase performances on Tuesday night, but it was headlined by some streaking players. Bryson Myles is starting to find his groove now that his injury-prone legs are now healthy and provided a game-winner for Carolina, and Jesus Aguilar hit his fourteenth homer, to answer critics hitting him for his lack of power. Join Jim Pete with Tuesday's ATF.

The Cleveland Indians completed a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday afternoon. While the Indians had been rumored to be talking to the Cardinals for the past few months, this certainly wasn't the deal that folks were pondering. Instead of dealing away Asdrubal Cabrera for a potential starter, they dealt a low-level minor leaguer for a left-handed reliever.

The Cleveland Indians are frustrating. Their starting rotation is good, or bad, depending on the month. The offense is good, or bad, depending on the player. The defense was supposed to be better, and is falling apart. The bullpen was supposed to be good, and is bad. Is there light at the end of the tunnel, and a quick look at some players the Indians may be looking at at the trade deadline.

It was an interesting night for the Indians' affiliates, as two teams won thanks to extra-inning homers. The headliners include a lefty starter that has re-emerged as an intriguing option for the Indians, another "toolsy" player who has re-emerged after a career so far mired by injury, and finishes with a closer that should be in Cleveland. Find out who these three are, as well as the two that won their games with the long-ball for both Columbus and Akron as Jim Pete brings another edition of Around the Farm.

Jim Pete and Jim Piascik both continue their discussion about their top 20 prospect rankings, started this past Tuesday. The Jims utilized information obtained at their own affiliates, as well as took information from the rest of the affiliate reporters across the IBI spectrum. Here is part two of that list, as well as the two Jims' e-mail chain as they justified their rankings to each other.

Zach McAllister seems to be ready to reclaim his place in the starting rotation this coming Tuesday after a successful start on Thursday night in Columbus. Can McAllister help solidify this rotation enough to allow the Indians to avoid the tough July trade market? In doing so, could he also help right the ship to a struggling bullpen? Jim Pete hijacks Orbiting for One Night Only with his take on an Orbanek favorite.

The second half of the 2013 Major League Baseball season is dawning on the North Coast, and the Cleveland Indians are seven games above 500, and have an opportunity to get even better. Join Jim Pete as he returns to the Corner of Carnegie and Ontario to talk the realities of the 2013 season, if the Indians should target anyone, and who that might be.

The IBI's Jim Pete and Michael Hatter return to the cyber airwaves tonight for a new episode of CSI: Cleveland Sports Insiders. Join the two as they touch on the Tribe's hot week and also the results of the Cleveland Cavaliers' 2013 foray into free agency. It all goes live tonight at 9 p.m. on the IBI radio network...

The Indians organization just had one of those nights in which everyone seemed to bring out their whipping stick, and at every level. The headliners for the night are three years apart at the same level, but should be close in the end-of-the-year prospect rankings. Who are these two? Join Jim Pete, as he returns to weekend ATF duty in lieu of Steve Orbanek, who had the audacity to get married.

Podcast with Tony Lastoria and Jim Pete, as they talk Cleveland Indians baseball on the Tuesday Night staple, Smoke Signals. In this episode, the crew talked Ubaldo and his Houdini act, the scrappy bench, the Tigers/Yankees/Red Sox, the trade deadline, prospects and call-ins from a couple of IBI regulars!

On Monday Night, the Indians pulled out two wins, and both in a dramatic fashion. The Mudcats managed to win their first second half game, and in walk-off fashion. Lake County overcame getting two-hit on the night to pull out a 1-0 win. There are some interesting names on the board tonight, with Joe Wendle leading the way thanks to a new power surge.

There were some major players in Sunday's ATF, as several top prospects had a big night for the Indians' organization. All the affiliates save the Carolina Mudcats won, giving lots of opportunities for solid performances. Leading the way on Sunday was a left-handed starter that is surging, a reliever that's making a case for time in the bigs, and perhaps the best prospect in all of baseball. Join Jim Pete for this Sunday's ATF.

Available IBI Books

The 2014 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!